Method of vulcanizing rubber.



Patented Dec. 4, 1900.

a. H. TUTTLEJ v METHOD OF VULCANIZING RUBBER.

a. Ill:

(Appliegtion filed Feb. 17, 1900.)

n E K (No Model.)

IN VENTOR A 77'0HNEYS UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

GUTIE HART TUTTLE, OF MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF,

AND GEORGE M. BOWIE, OF WHITEOASTLE, LOUISIANA.

METHOD OF VULCANIZING RUBBER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 663,308, dated. December 4:, 1900.

Application filed. February 17, 1900. Serial No. 5,571. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUTIE HART TUTTLE., a citizen of the United States, residing at Montgomery, in the county of Montgomery and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods of Vulcanizing Rubber, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to the art of vulcanizing' rubber, and has for its object to provide a method by which rubber may be efficiently and expeditiously vulcanized without any danger of explosion.

In carrying out my invention I may make use of any suitable apparatus, an example of which is shown in the accompanying drawin gs,said apparatus forming the subject-matter of an application for Letters Patent filed by me on the 7th day of February, 1900.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the press forming a part of my vulcanizer; and Fig. 2 is a central sectional elevation thereof, together with a box containing the article to be vulcanized and a vessel containing the heating medium.

The apparatus comprises a press consisting of a bottom A and a top 0, connected therewith by uprights B. This top has a central downward projection G, into which fits a screw D, also engaging the socket E of the presser-plate F. The socket E is in the shape of a nut, enabling it to be turned by means of a wrench or the like.

Into the upper face of the top (3 screws a rod G, carrying a thermometer H, a handle J, and a protecting-sleeve I, which may be screwed on a thread G on the rod G or slid down, as in Fig. 1, to cover the thermometer.

Between the presser-plate Fand the bottom A is adapted to be inserted a box consisting of a top L, a bottom L, and perforated upper and lower sections L L the several parts of the box being fitted together loosely, so that it can be readily taken apart. The press, with the box, is adapted to be set into a vessel K, preferably made of metal, and having a rim K, en gaginga corresponding groove in the top 0, and having also catches or fastening devices K adapted to be hooked over projections 0 on the top 0.

The article to be vulcanized is embedded in plaster-of-paris in the perforated box. This perforated box is thoroughly nickelplated or electroplated to prevent the mercury M, contained in the vessel K, from adhering to it. This box is put on the bottom A, and the plate F is lowered until the box is securely held. Then the box is, with the lower portion of the press, immersed in hot water for the purpose of softening the rubher, and when this is effected the nut E is turned to apply further pressure for the purpose of expelling the excess of rubber. Then the press, with the box, is inserted into the vessel K, which contains sufficient hot mercury M to cover the box. The vessel may, for instance, be put on a stove. The heat of the mercury passing into the box through the perforations thereof causes the rubber to be vulcanized in the well-known manner. To secure this result, a temperature of about 320 Fahrenheit should be maintained for about half an hour. The box, with the vulcanized article, is then removed from the vessel K, and the mercury is allowed to cool.

I accomplish by my improved method the same results as with the ordinary methods or better results in about one-third of the time. Besides, the heating medium is always fully under control, and being a metallic liquid it cannot explode, there being no vapors or gases evolved.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The described method of vulcanizing rubber which consists in exposing it to heat for softening it, and then immersing it in a bath of mercury and maintaining the latter at a temperature of about 320 Fahrenheit for about thirty minutes, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GU TIE HART TUTTLE.

Witnesses:

R. N. LIGHTFOOT, T. J. REYNOLDS. 

